The project of creating the new engine is "in line with the timeframe," a spokesman for Russia’s United Engine Corporation said

BANGALORE, February 14. /TASS/. Russia’s fifth-generation T-50 PAK FA (Prospective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation) fighter jet with the new engine will make its first flight in the fourth quarter of 2017, the press service of Russia’s United Engine Corporation said on Tuesday.

"The first flight of the aircraft with the new engine is expected in the fourth quarter of 2017," said a spokesman for the company that produces engines for military and civil aviation. The project of creating the new engine is "in line with the timeframe," he added.

Now the Russian fifth-generation jet is fitted with the so-called first-stage 117C engine. The new engine has not yet received its official title and is called the second-stage engine.

The PAK FA plane is a promising fifth-generation fighter jet. It performed the first flight in 2010.The first five serial-produced T-50 fighter jets are expected to be delivered to the Armed Forces this year. The deliveries of the aircraft to the Armed Forces are due to start after 2018.

Draft contract on R&D

Russia and India are working on a draft contract on R&D work for developing the fifth-generation fighter jet, Deputy Director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation Vladimir Drozhzhov told TASS.

"Russian and Indian specialists have agreed and initialed a draft contract for R&D works for developing an advanced multipurpose fighter jet. The Russian side is ready for signing the contract. We expect a decision from the Indian side on this issue," he said.

The advanced multipurpose fighter jet will be no inferior to Russia’s Perspective Aviation Complex of Frontline Aviation (PAK FA) by its combat capabilities and characteristics, Drozhzhov said.

Russia’s hi-tech corporation Rostec Head Sergei Chemezov said late last year that the contract for developing the fifth-generation fighter jet might be signed before the end of 2016.

In 2007, Russia and India signed an agreement on the joint development of the Fifth-Generation Fighting Aircraft. The Indian Air Force is expected to be the initial customer for these planes, which will be subsequently supplied to third countries.